Posted on 06/17/2016 4:25:43 AM PDT by metmom
"My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism" (James 2:1).
Because God is impartial, we as Christians must be impartial too.
People are prone to treat others differently based upon external criteria such as looks, possessions, or social status, but God is utterly impartial. He never shows favoritism and always judges righteously.
Favoritism can be defined as a preferential attitude and treatment of a person or group over another having equal claims and rights. It is unjustified partiality. James 2:1-13 confronts it as sin and admonishes us to avoid it at all costs.
God's impartiality is seen throughout Scripture. For example, Moses said to the people of Israel, "The Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe. He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt" (Deut. 10:17-19). Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, warned his judges to rule without partiality because God Himself has "no part in unrighteousness, or partiality" (2 Chron. 19:7).
God's impartiality is also seen in His gracious offer of salvation to people of every race. In Acts 10:34-35 Peter says, "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him."
God is also impartial in judgment. Romans 2:9-11 says that God will bring "tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil . . . but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good. For there is no partiality with God."
Our text is a timely admonition because prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry are ever-present evils in our society—both inside and outside the church. I pray that God will use these studies to guard you from favoritism's subtle influences and strengthen your commitment to godly living.
Suggestions for Prayer
Ask God to reveal any partiality you might be harboring. As He does, confess it and turn from it.
For Further Study
Read Ephesians 6:5-9 and 1 Timothy 5:17-21. How does God's impartiality apply to how you should respond to your co- workers and your church leaders?
Studying God’s Word ping
Thanks metmom great read.
What about Jacob and Esau?
Not utterly impartial. That’s golden calf of human government.
It's not in scripture, yet it is a basis of God's justice. It is a shame that Ayn Rand didn't understand the nature of God's justice. She was close to the truth.
Or God "hardening Pharaoh's heart"? Or "Israel is My firstborn son"?
This sentence gave me the creeps. What exactly is he talking about?
God’s chosen people—the Arab will have to appeal. And St. Paul will have to tell each one: who are you to question God?
Exactly right. Creatorship confers ownership. God can do with us as He pleases, creating some as vessels of wrath and creating some as vessels of glory. See Rom. 9.
I think what Mr. MacArthur is speaking of is when we treat a church visitor or member in an expensive suit differently than a church visitor or member in shabby clothing.
God sees the end even at the beginning ... He can know before you left eh womb how you will use your free will in life.
?
When God declares ‘Jacob have I loved, Esau have I hated’, He has all of time available to Him at any time. He can refer to things in past tense that have not yet unfolded to our senses.
Like a Clinton? You never know what tense they are in.
There’s a difference between foreknowing and predestining.
I don’t see Him choosing to love one and hate another based on some supposed criteria known only to God. That would make Him a respecter of persons based on SOMETHING.
Rather I see it as He foreknew the choices each man would make and makes the statement based on what He knew would transpire.
Roses are red
Violets are blue
God is not never partial
Some apokatastasis for you.
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